We'll have you impersonate the Crown Prince and create a prosperous era for the Great Qian Dyna

"Are you really going to your death?"

Chief Steward Liu was the first to speak; he could tell that the fake crown prince had changed his mind.

Zhou Tiancheng gave an awkward laugh.

"That's not what I meant. What I was thinking was that once we were halfway there, I would fake my death and escape. Without their leader, they would naturally not actually attack Northern Xia."

Steward Liu gave a disdainful smile.

"You always say that, so why didn't you run when those fifty cavalrymen tried to assassinate you at the hunting grounds?"

"Huang Chen told me that when he saw you leading fifty infantrymen to hold off the cavalry, he was almost scared to death!"

"Once you get on the road, are you really willing to abandon them and just turn around and leave?"

"Aren't you afraid they'll inherit your will from before you faked your death and attack Northern Xia?"

Zhou Tiancheng stammered and couldn't say anything.

He's not a selfish person after all.

How could someone who has maintained a pure heart since childhood and desperately wanted to be a great hero possibly abandon his comrades and live alone?

Guli smiled and glanced at Zhou Tiancheng, her eyes full of love.

"Let's go together, so we can die together if we have to."

"Anyway, from the moment I arrived at the East Palace on the first day, I thought I was dead. You're the one who let me live for so many more days."

Zhou Tiancheng opened his mouth, his voice choked with emotion.

"Guli, what you've done..."

"Alright, a real man doesn't need to be so wishy-washy. I'll go pack my things."

Guli turned and left.

Manager Liu glanced at him and rolled his eyes.

"This old servant is going to pack his things too. If you have any plans, go and tell the brothers outside."

Zhou Tiancheng was somewhat taken aback.

"Old Liu, are you going too?"

Steward Liu did not turn around; only his voice came through.

"Do you think you're the only one who values ​​loyalty and righteousness, and everyone else is an ingrate?"

"Guli and I support you; how could we be such selfish and petty people? Aren't you underestimating us?"

Zhou Tiancheng opened his mouth, then smiled helplessly.

He turned around, pushed open the door, looked at the National Protection Army in front of him, and immediately regained his serious expression.

"Brothers, you have three days. In three days, assemble at the Eastern Palace and prepare for battle!"

"Cowards, you'd better quit now. Don't blame me if you die. This time, it's a real fight, so don't blame me if you do!"

A group of people were yelling excitedly, as if they weren't going to their deaths, but to receive an award.

Zhou Tiancheng was also laughing, but as he laughed, his eyes became a little red.

After everyone left, he returned to his study alone and carefully considered his next steps.

I'm leaving soon, and I need to settle some karmic debts in Kyoto.

Li Hua must have seen it, after all, they had slept together. Those long legs were really strong. Zhou Tiancheng was still savoring the memory and wrote Li Hua's name on the paper.

He Qian, that vixen... never mind, she's not my woman, just a gambling partner. I can just send a message through anyone.

Zheng Ye'er, my ambiguous relationship, we haven't slept together yet. Whether I die or not won't stop her from getting married, but I still have to go and say goodbye.

Zhou Tiancheng's thinking was, after all, from his previous life; at this moment, what he couldn't let go of most were these women.

He thought for a moment, then called Xinhua over.

"What's the name of that guy next to you?"

Xinhua smiled.

"Su Xiu".

Zhou Tiancheng frowned and clicked his tongue twice.

"A fierce general who is eight feet tall has such a refined name; no wonder people can't remember him."

"Go tell him that when the time comes, I will send Guli to him so that he can take Guli and run away and not come to his death."

Xinhua smiled so hard his eyes narrowed.

"It's rare that the Crown Prince remembered him, which gave him a way out."

Zhou Tiancheng rolled his eyes.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Going to Northern Xia doesn't necessarily mean I'll die. Maybe we'll actually win?"

"I'm the one who lost out. I was originally planning to run away, and I only took 10,000 troops. If it weren't for you bunch of bastards coming with me, why would I have bothered fighting Northern Xia!"

Since he was going to die anyway, Zhou Tiancheng kept swearing.

Xinhua chuckled and, unusually, spoke the truth.

"Your Highness, in this world, if no one leads the way, we are all just ordinary people who will only be eaten."

"We've finally managed to get our hands on such a valuable person as you, so of course we have to hold on tight!"

"What if we win?"

"Then we'll have done a great service. We might not become superhuman, but at least no one will dare to bully us. That's better than dying in a pile of mud, right?"

Zhou Tiancheng glanced at Xinhua with disdain.

"Those National Protection Army soldiers can say that, but what gives you the right, a general who retreated from the northern frontier, to say such things?"

"When you were the gatekeeper for the Duke, so many people had to be subservient to you. You're nothing but a commoner."

Xinhua patted the Qingfeng sword at his waist.

"I must live up to the value of this sword."

His implication was simple: Zhou Tiancheng gave him this sword, so he had given his life to Zhou Tiancheng. Now, he was going with him to protect Zhou Tiancheng's safety.

If Zhou Tiancheng is to die, he should die after Zhou Tiancheng has died!

"Get out! Get out! Get out!"

Zhou Tiancheng finally waved his hand impatiently, telling Xinhua to get lost.

For these people, this journey to Northern Xia was fraught with peril, and they truly went with the mindset of certain death.

But after Zhou Tiancheng arrived at the Duke of Huguo's residence, his thoughts changed.

Zheng Rong was dressed in casual clothes, but was wiping a large knife. When he saw him come in, he looked up at him and asked a question.

When are we leaving?

Zhou Tiancheng was stunned.

"what?"

Zheng Rong was getting a little impatient.

"What are you all 'huh' for? You bunch of brats, what battles have you fought? Have you ever commanded a legion in battle?"

"Without us old folks backing you up, would you even have made it to Northern Xia?"

Zhou Tiancheng looked up and realized that not only Zheng Rong was there, but Lin Tong was there too!

Seeing that he was looking over, Lin Tong nodded slightly.

"The Duke will go and support you, and I will lead the troops for you. As for you, just focus on training the troops."

What do you mean by "escort"?

This means that Zheng Rong is going to the northern frontier to lead troops, so that the strength of the northern frontier army can put enough pressure on the northern Xia and provide support at any time.

Lin Tong, on the other hand, filled the gap in Zhou Tiancheng's lack of practical experience.

With these two big shots involved, Zhou Tiancheng only needs to focus on training his troops.

At this moment, Zheng Rong also put down the large knife in his hand.

"Don't overthink it. The Northern Xia army isn't as scary as you think. Conservatively speaking, we have about a 50% chance of winning this trip to Northern Xia."

Zhou Tiancheng was stunned.

He calculated it himself and found that his chances of winning were less than 10%.

He lacked confidence in all aspects, including manpower, resources, and experience, but Zheng Rong described it as a 50% chance of winning.

"My lord, you must be lying to me, right?"

Zheng Rong immediately laughed.

"I'd lie to you? What good would it do me to lie to you?"

"Use your brain for a second. The retired emperor was able to stay in Northern Xia for over a decade with tens of thousands of men. You don't actually think Northern Xia is some kind of behemoth, do you?"